MONTHS away from the 2025 midterm elections, former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Benigno “Bam” Aquino emerged as the top choices for senator among UST philosophy students, according to a survey.
The poll, titled “Real Choice: Ritmo ng Pilosopiya at Praktika” and conducted by the Concilium Philosophiae, the official organization of UST philosophy majors, showed Pangilinan leading the race, with 88% of the 150 respondents saying they would vote for him.
Pangilinan, who is seeking a fourth Senate term, launched the “Kiko-Bam” tandem with Aquino, a fellow opposition figure who ranked second in the UST survey with 84.7%.
Labor leader and lawyer Luke Espiritu landed on the third spot with 65.3%, followed by former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza in fourth with 61.3%.
Former presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman secured the fifth spot (58.7%), while lawmakers France Castro and Arlene Brosas tied for sixth (38.7%). Peasant leader Danilo Ramos earned 37.3% while former Bayan Muna partylist representative Teddy Casiño had 36%.
Rounding out the “Magic 12” are fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo (29.3%), former Gabriela Womens’ partylist representative Liza Maza (26%) and labor leader and lawyer Sonny Matula (23.3%).
In the partylist race for the House of Representatives, the Chel Diokno-led Akbayan led with 28.7%, followed by the Kabataan Partylist with 16%, and the ML (Mamamayang Liberal) party with 14%.
Gabriela ranked fourth (10.7%), followed by Bayan Muna (4%) and ACT Teachers (3.3%).
Clarence Mindo, the survey’s lead organizer, said the results reflected philosophy’s inclination toward truth and wisdom.
“Given na ‘yong identity ng philosophy majors as seekers of truth and wisdom, and the image of the department and the program as a house harnessing critical thinking,” Mindo said. “But apart from these cultured facts is mas nananaig ‘yong tanda ng aming collective consciousness of what constitutes our rational choices of candidates.”
The survey, conducted from Feb. 20 to 23 via Google Forms, was participated in by 72.1% of UST philosophy students, with 150 of 208 students enrolled in Term 2 serving as respondents.
Transparency, accountability as top qualities
The survey also included questions about the qualities students seek in senatorial aspirants.
Results showed that transparency, accountability, and a clean track record are the most important qualities candidates for senator should have. Other top qualities include being noncorrupt, responsible, and compassionate.
Respondents believed that candidates should prioritize issues concerning education, healthcare, poverty, public transportation, and political dynasties.
Of the 150 respondents, 71% are registered voters, with 54% set to vote for the first time on May 12.
